Rocks in my 'tainer

rflasck · February 23, 2013

I'm a newbie. In the past, I've heard that 1) a layer of rocks at the bottom of containers is good for drainage and plant growth (my 18 gallon buckets do have drainage holes, however), and 2) ants and other critters do not like walking on white "dolostone." Should I put a 1 or 2 inch layer of white dolostone in the bottom of my containers to help drainage and repell insects? Will it screw up the ph of the planting mix at all?

Thanks,
Dick

Virtex · February 23, 2013

I watched a video last week with a Master Gardener who says they have done studies and rocks in the bottom may actually slow drainage. If you use a good potting mix you shouldn't need to use rocks.

- Virtex

JamesL · February 23, 2013

Dick,
Virtex is correct! No rocks. All they do is take up space. If whatever you are using for your mix has the right balance between water retention and drainage you are good to go. If it doesn't, the rocks at the bottom aren't going to help.
Can't answer the ant question with respect to dolostone. A sprinkling of spent coffee grounds works very well as ant repellent.

rflasck · February 24, 2013

Many thanks! I'll leave the stones out and sprinkle the ground beneath the containers with old coffee grounds.

Dick

February 23, 2013	#1
rflasck Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: California Posts: 12	Rocks in my 'tainer I'm a newbie. In the past, I've heard that 1) a layer of rocks at the bottom of containers is good for drainage and plant growth (my 18 gallon buckets do have drainage holes, however), and 2) ants and other critters do not like walking on white "dolostone." Should I put a 1 or 2 inch layer of white dolostone in the bottom of my containers to help drainage and repell insects? Will it screw up the ph of the planting mix at all? Thanks, Dick

February 24, 2013	#4
rflasck Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: California Posts: 12	thanks Many thanks! I'll leave the stones out and sprinkle the ground beneath the containers with old coffee grounds. Dick

February 23, 2013	#2
Virtex Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: California Posts: 121	I watched a video last week with a Master Gardener who says they have done studies and rocks in the bottom may actually slow drainage. If you use a good potting mix you shouldn't need to use rocks. - Virtex

February 23, 2013	#3
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Dick, Virtex is correct! No rocks. All they do is take up space. If whatever you are using for your mix has the right balance between water retention and drainage you are good to go. If it doesn't, the rocks at the bottom aren't going to help. Can't answer the ant question with respect to dolostone. A sprinkling of spent coffee grounds works very well as ant repellent.